Coupler



March 8, 1938.

Aziorneys March 8, 1938. n G, D 2,110,620

COUPLER Filed May 8, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aiiomeys Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE COUPLER Lonnie Guy Byrd, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Application May 8, 1937, Serial No. 141,537 2 Claims. (01. 280-33.15)

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in couplers for motor, push, and trailer cars.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a coupler which because of its car connecting means promotes the factor of safety over present types of couplers now in general use.

Another important object of the present invention is toprovide a coupler which is of simple construction and capable of easy repair or replacement.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the coupling between a pair of cars.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the coupler.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the coupler bar.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the angle iron member.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the coupling pm.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 represents a trackway upon which the push car 5 and trailer 6 are rideable. Numeral I generally refers to the coupling means between the cars.

The propelled car 5 has the angle iron member 8 secured to the rear end thereof by passing suit- 35 able securing means through the openings 9 thereof. The outstanding flange portion of this angle member 8 has an oversized opening l0 therein to accommodate the offset ll of the extension lZ located at one end of the coupling bar 40 I3, which coupling bar is provided with a fork M at its opposite end provided with openings l5 therethrough for receiving the coupling pin Hi. This coupling pin also extends through an opening in the outwardly extending strap I1 on the trailer 6. The strap extends between the fingers of the fork l4. Furthermore, the fork I4 is provided with recesses H3 at its top and bottom sides for receiving the inturned pintle-like extensions IS on the spring clip 20, which clip is formed at 50 its intermediate portion to define a loop 2| through which one end of a chain section 22 is disposed, as shown in Figure 6. The chain 22 extends through the eye 23 on the upper end of the coupling pin Hi. This coupling pin is provided at its lower portion with an offset 24 merging with a short extension 25.

Obviously, the coupling bar I3 is first connected with the angle member 8 by tapping the extension l2 down through the opening Iii in a substantial vertical position, and then as the offset H reaches the opening I, dropping the bar 13 to a horizontal position and engaging the strap ll between the fingers of the fork l4 where 10 the fork and strap can be interlocked by the pin It. The pin i6 is engaged through the opening in the strap H and the openings l5 by causing a backward and forward movement of the trailer 6 as the offset 24 reaches the openings in the 15 strap l1 and the lower finger of the fork l4.

Obviously, with the coupling set up for use in this manner, it is practically impossible for the same to become disconnected from either one of the cars. 2

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size, and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as 25 claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is:

1. Means for connecting a drawbar to a vehicle comprising a bracket connected to the vehicle and having a vertical aperture therein, said drawbar having a bifurcated end adapted to straddle the bracket and apertures in the bifurcated end adapted to register with the aperture in the bracket, and a rigid pin having a straight shank part for insertion through said apertures, an intermediate part adapted for location below said bifurcated end and oblique to the straight part, and aestraight terminal part extending from the oblique part in axially offset relation to the straight shank part.

2. Means for connecting a coupling pin to a drawbar provided with a pair of apertures in opposite sides thereof, respectively, comprising a chain attached atone end to said pin, and a clevis comprising, a rod-like piece of resilient metal bent upon itself intermediate its ends to form an eye to which the other end of the chain is attached, and a pair of inwardly reacting crossed .arms having inturned ends adapted under reaction of said arms to seat in said apertures, respectively, with a snap action.

LONNIE G. BYRD. 

